Beverage Dispensing Device

ABSTRACT

A beverage dispenser that is enabled for on demand, gravity fed dispensing of a pre-mixed or otherwise ready to drink beverage that has been thermally regulated through natural convection. More specifically, the beverage dispenser enables pre-mixed or otherwise ready to drink beverage containers (i.e., beverage containers with beverage contents that are pre-mixed or otherwise ready to drink) to be installed on the beverage dispenser and, without the aid of electricity or electro-mechanical devices, dispense a thermally regulated beverage on-demand to an intended customer. The beverage dispenser may comprise a thermal regulation compartment that facilitates regulating the temperature of beverage contents through natural convection. The beverage dispenser may also comprise a thermally regulated and thermally insulated beverage enclosure in which to install the beverage containers. The thermal regulation compartment may be carried within the beverage enclosure.

PRIORITY

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to provisionalapplication 61/419,977 filed on Dec. 6, 2010, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

TRADEMARKS

COCA-COLA® is a registered trademark of The Coca-Cola Company, Atlanta,Ga., U.S.A. Other names used herein may be registered trademarks,trademarks or product names of The Coca-Cola Company or other companies.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a beverage dispenser for ondemand, gravity fed or gravity driven dispensing of a pre-mixed orotherwise ready to drink beverage that has been thermally regulatedthrough natural convection. The present disclosure more particularlyrelates to a beverage dispenser that enables pre-mixed or otherwiseready to drink beverage containers (i.e., beverage containers withbeverage contents that are pre-mixed or otherwise ready to drink) to beattached to the beverage dispenser and, without the aid of electricityor electro-mechanical devices, enables dispensing a thermally regulatedbeverage on-demand to an intended customer.

BACKGROUND

Beverage delivery to on-demand point of purchase or point of thirstcustomers, such as fountain drink customers, in some locales hasheretofore not been achieved in an efficient, cost-effective, easilyre-producible manner. In developed countries such on-demand beveragedelivery typically occurs through complex electro-mechanical beveragedispensers. Such electro-mechanical beverage dispensers may mix multipleingredients, such as a syrup concentrate and a diluent, at the point ofdispensing the beverage. For example, an electro-mechanical beveragedispenser may mix COCA-COLA® syrup with carbonated water as theCOCA-COLA® beverage is being dispensed.

In developing locales, such electro-mechanical beverage dispensers maynot be suitable. Such non-suitability may exist because of the size orcost of the beverage dispensers, lack of reliable electrical resourcesto power the beverage dispensers, and/or lack of supply chains orinfrastructure suitable to reliably deliver the required ingredients tomix the beverages. For example, large bag-in-box syrups and food gradeCO₂ containers often used in electro-mechanical beverage dispensers maynot be readily available in some locales. Further, potable watersupplies may not be readily available.

In some developing locales customers may be serviced with returnable,refillable containers. For example, a customer may enter a merchantlocation, purchase a beverage for consumption, and be supplied with arefillable container, such as a glass bottle, containing the purchasedbeverage. The customer may be unable to remove the beverage-filled glassbottle from the merchant location because the glass bottle may remainthe property of a beverage company supplying the merchant or themerchant themselves. Therefore, the customer may be required to consumethe entirety of the beverage at the merchant location and return theglass bottle. Alternatively, the customer may transfer the beverage fromthe glass bottle to another container carried or otherwise owned by thecustomer and return the glass bottle.

Because each container may be returned for a deposit, some customers maynot be able to purchase the container with the beverage so that thecustomer may enjoy the beverage at their leisure rather than beingconstrained to the merchant location as described above. Also, somecustomers may not want to or be able to pay for the entire amount ofbeverage within the container. Accordingly, use of the aforementionedreturnable, refillable containers may limit the consumer base in somelocales.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the invention includes a beverage dispenser comprising adispensing shelf configured to support installation of one or more readyto drink beverage containers for gravity fed beverage dispensing. Thebeverage dispenser further comprises a thermal regulant storage areaadapted to store a thermal regulant that regulates the temperature ofbeverage contents of the one or more beverage containers through naturalconvection. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, further comprising:

In some embodiments, the beverage dispenser further comprises athermally insulated beverage compartment that encloses the thermalregulant storage area and at least a portion of the dispensing shelfconfigured to support installation of one or more ready to drinkbeverage containers.

In some embodiments, the beverage dispenser further comprises apre-regulating compartment below the thermally insulated beveragecompartment and adapted to store one or more beverage containers.

In some embodiments, the dispensing shelf comprises an opening above thepre-regulating compartment to facilitate fluid communication between thepre-regulating compartment and the thermally insulated beveragecompartment.

In another aspect, the invention includes a beverage dispensercomprising a thermal regulant storage area adapted to store a thermalregulant. The beverage dispenser further comprises a thermally insulatedbeverage compartment that encloses the thermal regulant storage area andis configured to support installation of one or more ready to drinkbeverage containers for gravity fed beverage dispensing. The ambienttemperature in the thermally insulated beverage compartment is regulatedthrough natural convection.

In some embodiments, the beverage dispenser further comprises apre-regulating compartment below the thermally insulated beveragecompartment and adapted to store one or more beverage containers.

In some embodiments, the thermally insulated beverage compartmentcomprises an opening above the pre-regulating compartment to facilitatefluid communication between the pre-regulating compartment and thethermally insulated beverage compartment.

These and other features will be more clearly understood from thefollowing detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, referenceis now made to the following brief description, taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings and detailed description, wherein likereference numerals represent like parts.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of an exemplary beverage dispenseraccording to a first aspect of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-section view of an exemplary beveragedispenser according to the first aspect of the disclosure.

FIG. 3A illustrates a cross-section view of a bottom portion of anexemplary beverage dispenser according to the first aspect of thedisclosure.

FIG. 3B illustrates a cross-section view of an exemplary beveragedispenser according to the first aspect of the disclosure with one-wayvalve of a pre-regulating drawer in a closed position.

FIG. 3C illustrates a cross-section view of an exemplary beveragedispenser according to the first aspect of the disclosure with one-wayvalve of a pre-regulating drawer in an open position.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a lower portion of an exemplarybeverage dispenser according to the first aspect of the disclosure.

FIG. 5A illustrates a side view of an exemplary beverage dispenseraccording to the first aspect of the disclosure with a thermal tray in astowed position.

FIG. 5B illustrates a side view of an exemplary beverage dispenseraccording to the first aspect of the disclosure with the thermal tray ina lowered position.

FIG. 5C illustrates a side view of an exemplary beverage dispenseraccording to the first aspect of the disclosure with the thermal tray ina lower locked position.

FIG. 5D illustrates a side view of an exemplary beverage dispenseraccording to the first aspect of the disclosure with the thermal tray ina lower locked position with the lid opened.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary beverage dispenseraccording to the first aspect of the disclosure with the thermal tray ina stowed position.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary beverage dispenseraccording to the first aspect of the disclosure with the thermal tray ina lower locked position with the lid opened.

FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of the thermal tray.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary beverage dispenseraccording to the first aspect of the disclosure with a thermal drawer.

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary beveragedispenser according to the first aspect of the disclosure with a reducedfront door height and a separate thermal drawer.

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary beveragedispenser according to the first aspect of the disclosure with a topaccess door.

FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary beveragedispenser according to the first aspect of the disclosure with a thermalpackage.

FIG. 13 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary beveragedispenser according to the first aspect of the disclosure with a modularstorage drawer and a cup holder.

FIG. 14 illustrates an exploded view of an exemplary beverage dispenseraccording to a second aspect of the disclosure.

FIG. 15 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary beveragedispenser according to a third aspect of the disclosure.

FIG. 16 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary beveragedispenser according to the third aspect of the disclosure showing thestorage drawer.

FIG. 17 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary beveragedispenser according to the third aspect of the disclosure showing thetop lid.

FIG. 18 illustrates a side view of a dispenser assembly in a dispensingstate.

FIG. 19 illustrates a side view of the dispenser assembly in aninstallation state.

FIG. 20A illustrates a front perspective view of an exemplary beveragedispenser according to a fourth aspect of the disclosure.

FIG. 20B illustrates a rear perspective view of an exemplary beveragedispenser according to a fourth aspect of the disclosure.

FIG. 21A illustrates a first side view of a dispenser assembly of theexemplary beverage dispenser according to the forth aspect of thedisclosure.

FIG. 21B illustrates a second side view of a dispenser assembly of theexemplary beverage dispenser according to the fourth aspect of thedisclosure,

FIG. 21C illustrates a perspective view of the dispenser assembly of theexemplary beverage dispenser according to the forth aspect of thedisclosure.

FIG. 22A illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary beveragedispenser according to a fifth aspect of the disclosure.

FIG. 22B illustrates another perspective view of the exemplary beveragedispenser according to the fifth aspect of the disclosure.

FIG. 23A illustrates a first side view of a dispenser assembly of theexemplary beverage dispenser according to the fifth aspect of thedisclosure in a dispensing state.

FIG. 23B illustrates a second side view of a dispenser assembly of theexemplary beverage dispenser according to the fifth aspect of thedisclosure in a refilling state.

FIG. 23C illustrates a perspective view of a dispenser assembly of theexemplary beverage dispenser according to the fifth aspect of thedisclosure.

FIG. 24 illustrates a perspective view of a beverage dispenser accordingto a sixth aspect of the disclosure.

FIG. 25 illustrates a side perspective view of the beverage dispenseraccording to the sixth aspect of the disclosure

FIG. 26 illustrates a see-through perspective view of the beveragedispenser according to the sixth aspect of the disclosure.

FIG. 27A illustrates a side view of a dispenser assembly of theexemplary beverage dispenser according to the sixth aspect of thedisclosure in a refilling state.

FIG, 27B illustrates a side view of a dispenser assembly of theexemplary beverage dispenser according to the sixth aspect of thedisclosure in a dispensing state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It should be understood at the outset that although illustrativeimplementations of one or more embodiments are illustrated below, thedisclosed systems and methods may be implemented using any number oftechniques, whether currently known or in existence. The disclosureshould in no way be limited to the illustrative implementations,drawings, and techniques illustrated below, but may be modified withinthe scope of the appended claims along with their full scope ofequivalents.

As used herein, the phrase “pre-mixed beverage” is intended to encompassbeverages that are ready to drink and do not require mixing with otheringredients prior to consumption. For example, a 2-liter bottle ofCOCA-COLA® is a pre-mixed beverage. In contrast, a bag-in-box syrup ofCOCA-COLA® is not a pre-mixed beverage because the syrup may need to bemixed with a diluent such as carbonated water prior to consumption.Similarly, a container of MINUTE MAID® orange juice is a pre-mixedbeverage. In contrast, a MINUTE MAID® concentrate is not a pre-mixedbeverage because the concentrate may need to be mixed with a diluentsuch as water prior to consumption.

As used herein, the phrase “ready to drink” beverage(s) is intended toencompass beverages that are in a consumable state as intended by abeverage maker. For example, while COCA-COLA® syrup may be in aconsumable state, The Coca-Cola Company may intend for the COCA-COLA®syrup to be mixed with carbonated water prior to consumption. Similarly,other beverage concentrates, while in a consumable state, may not beintended for consumption as a beverage concentrate alone, but may beintended for consumption as a beverage after mixing with a diluent.Also, a “ready to drink” beverage is intended to encompass beveragesthat are not mixed from concentrate. For example, fresh squeezed orangejuice, brewed tea, water, or other beverages that are not mixed fromconcentrate may be “ready to drink” beverages.

As used herein, the term “beverage” is intended to encompass both still,or non-carbonated, and sparkling, or carbonated, beverages.

As used herein, the term “removable” is intended to encompass bothpartially removable components and fully removable components. Forexample, as described in more detail below in conjunction with FIGS.5A-5D, the thermal tray is at least partially removable from a stowedposition in the beverage dispenser so as to facilitate refilling thethermal tray. Similarly, as described in more detail below inconjunction with FIGS. 9-10, the thermal drawers may be fully removablefrom the beverage dispenser.

As used herein, the phrase “thermal regulant” is intended to encompassany material that adds or removes heat from a system. For example, iceis a thermal regulant that may be used to cool a system. In contrast,hot water is a thermal regulant that may be used to heat a system.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”,“upper”, and the like, may be used herein for ease of description todescribe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) orfeature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that thespatially relative terms are intended to encompass differentorientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted inthe figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over,elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or featureswould then be oriented “above” the other elements or features.

Referring to FIGS. 1-15, views of an exemplary beverage dispenseraccording to a first aspect of the disclosure are shown. As described inmore detail below, the beverage dispenser according to the first aspectof the disclosure includes a thermally insulated compartment forinstalling one or more pre-mixed or otherwise ready to drink beveragecontainers (i.e., beverage containers with beverage contents that arepre-mixed or otherwise ready to drink) in an inverted position to enablethermally regulated, gravity fed, on demand dispensing of the beveragecontents therein. The beverage dispenser according to the first aspectof the disclosure further includes a removable thermal tray that isadapted to store a thermal regulant, such as ice, gel packs, or hotwater, for example. The thermal tray enables regulating the temperatureof the one or more pre-mixed or otherwise ready to drink beveragecontainers through natural convection based on heat added or removedfrom the thermally regulated compartment by one or more thermalregulants carried within the thermal tray. The beverage dispenseraccording to the first aspect of the disclosure may further include apre-regulating storage compartment that is adapted to store one or moreadditional beverage containers. The pre-regulating storage compartmentmay use waste heat from the thermal tray to begin regulating thetemperature of the one or more pre-mixed or otherwise ready to drinkbeverage containers stored therein. These and more features of theexemplary beverage dispenser according to the first aspect of thedisclosure are described in detail below, wherein like referencenumerals represent like parts.

Referring to FIG. 1, a front view of an exemplary beverage dispenser 100according to the first aspect of the disclosure is shown. The beveragedispenser 100 enables on demand and gravity fed dispensing of pre-mixedor otherwise ready to drink beverages that are thermally regulatedthrough natural convection. The beverage dispenser 100 is illustrated inFIG. 1 with the front door 124 removed so as to show the interiorfeatures. The beverage dispenser 100 includes a thermally insulatingbase 102 that, together with the front door 124, defines a thermallyinsulated or thermally regulated beverage compartment 104. The beveragecompartment 104 may alternately be referred to as a beverage enclosure.FIG. 2 shows additional detail through a cross-section view of thebeverage dispenser 100 about the line A-A in FIG. 1. The thermallyregulated beverage compartment 104 regulates the temperature of one ormore pre-mixed or otherwise ready to drink beverage containers (notshown) installed therein. In some embodiments three beverage containersmay be installed in the beverage compartment 104, though installation ofmore or less beverage containers within the beverage compartment iscontemplated by this disclosure. The beverage containers may beinstalled adjacent to one another in a line, along an arc, or in anyother pattern within the beverage compartment 104.

The base 102 may be formed by an exterior shell encasing an insulatingmaterial. For example, the exterior shell may be made of a plastic,metal, or ceramic material, though in some embodiments of thedisclosure, a plastic shell is used for its light weight and durability.The insulating material may be insulating foam, insulating fiber, orother such material, though in some embodiments of the disclosure,insulating foam is used for its light weight and insulation properties.Alternatively, the base 102 may be integrally formed from a singleinsulating material. In some embodiments of the disclosure the exteriorshell is made of plastic and the insulating material is made of a foammaterial so as to improve the portability of the beverage dispenser 100.

The temperature is regulated within the beverage compartment 104 throughnatural convection based on heat added or removed by one or more thermalregulants carried or stored within a removable thermal tray 106. Thethermal tray 106 may be considered a thermal regulant storage area. Forexample, in order to cool the beverage compartment 104, a thermalregulant such as ice or one or more re-freezable packs may be added tothe thermal tray 106. Similarly, in order to heat the beveragecompartment 104, a thermal regulant such as hot water or coals may beadded to the thermal tray 106. One of ordinary skill in the art willreadily recognize that in natural convection, fluid flow (e.g., cooledor heated air flow within the beverage compartment 104) is not generatedby an external source such as a pump, fan, or other such mechanical orelectro-mechanical device. The thermal tray 106 may be made of anythermally conductive material such as a metal, plastic, or a ceramic,though in some embodiments the thermal regulant may be made of aluminum.While shown in FIG. 1 as a solid tray, the thermal tray 106 may includeperforations to more readily enable heat transfer between the thermalregulant and the beverage compartment 104.

To facilitate reloading of the thermal tray 106, the beverage dispenser100 includes a support shelf 108, a cavity 110, and a cam 112. As shownin FIGS. 5A-5D and described in greater detail below, the support shelf108 supports the thermal tray 106 while reloading thermal regulant. Thecavity 110 provides a space into which a rear portion of the thermaltray 106 may fit. In some embodiments, the cavity 110 may be sized tofrictionally lock the thermal tray 106 in place. Alternatively, thethermal tray 106 may freely enter and exit from within the cavity 110.The cam 112 provides a path over which a wheel, roller, or axel of thethermal tray 106 may roll.

The beverage dispenser 100 may optionally include a pre-regulatingdrawer 114. The pre-regulating drawer 114 is a storage compartmentadapted to store one or more pre-mixed or otherwise ready to drinkbeverage containers 138. The pre-regulating drawer 114 may use wasteheat from the thermal tray 106 to begin regulating the temperature ofthe one or more pre-mixed or otherwise ready to drink beveragecontainers 138 stored therein. For example, ice melt water may becollected in pre-regulating drawer 114 so as to pre-cool the beveragecontainer 138 prior to installation in the beverage compartment 104. Thepre-regulating drawer 114 may also be directly loaded with thermalregulant. For example, ice may be directly loaded into thepre-regulating drawer 114 to further accelerate pre-cooling of thebeverage container 138.

The beverage dispenser 100 includes an upper door mount 116 and a lowerdoor mount 118 to facilitate attaching the front door 124 to the base102. The front door 124 may rotate about an axis between the upper doormount 116 and the lower door mount 118. While the upper door mount 116and the lower door mount 118 are shown in FIG. 1 on the right side ofthe beverage dispenser 100, the door mounts 116, 118 may alternativelybe placed on the left side of the beverage dispenser 100. In such acase, the front door 124 would open from right to left as opposed toleft to right as shown in the figures.

The beverage dispenser 100 further includes a dispensing shelf 120. Theupper side of the dispensing shelf 120 supports beverage containersinstalled in the beverage compartment 104. The lower side of thedispensing shelf 120 supports a dispenser assembly 168 to facilitatedispensing of beverage contents from the beverage containers installedin the beverage compartment 104. Various embodiments of the dispenserassembly 168 are discussed in detail below. The dispensing shelf 120 maybe integrally formed with the base 102 of the beverage dispenser or thedispensing shelf 120 may be separately formed and attached to the base102, as shown in FIGS. 3A-3C.

The beverage dispenser 100 includes a cup rest 122 positioned below thedispensing shelf 120. The cup rest 122 provides a stable planar surfaceupon which a customer's cup or beverage container of choice may securelyrest while dispensing a beverage. The cup rest 122 may include a splashmat (shown in FIG. 3A) and/or a drain plate (not shown).

The beverage dispenser 100 may also include a slanted top surface thatfollows a first contour 146 when viewed from the front. The slanted topsurface follows a second contour 148 when viewed from the side as bestseen in the cross-section view of FIG. 2. The slanted top surfaceprevents merchants from stacking off-brand, distracting, or unattractivemerchandise or storage containers on top of the beverage container 100.

Referring to FIG. 3A, a cross-section view of a bottom portion of anexemplary beverage dispenser according to the first aspect of thedisclosure is shown. As mentioned above, the dispensing shelf 120 may beseparately formed and attached to the base 102, such as throughengagement with slot 125. The slot 125 may extend the length of theinterior back wall of the base 102 or may additionally extend along oneor both of the interior side walls of the base 102. To enableinstallation of the dispenser assembly 168 and a container mount 170,discussed in more detail below, the dispensing shelf 120 includes abeverage aperture 126 for each beverage container to be installed withinthe beverage compartment 104. The beverage aperture 126 may optionallyinclude a groove 127 to accept a portion of the dispenser assembly 168or the container mount 170. In some embodiments the groove 127 may be akeying or alignment groove that ensures that the dispenser assembly 168is installed facing in the correct direction and prevents rotation ofthe dispenser assembly 168 within the beverage aperture 126. While thegroove 127 is only shown on one side of the aperture 126 in thecross-section view of FIG. 3A, the groove 127 may also be present on theopposite side of the aperture 126.

A back portion of the dispensing shelf 120 may include an aperture 130to enable fluid communication between the beverage compartment 104 andthe pre-regulating drawer 114. The aperture 130 may enable convectiveheat transfer between the beverage compartment 104 and thepre-regulating drawer 114. For example, while cooling a beveragecontainer in the beverage compartment 104, the pre-regulating drawer 114may facilitate cooling of the one or more beverage containers 138 storedtherein through natural convection enabled by fluid communicationthrough the aperture 130. Similarly, one or more beverage containers 138stored in the pre-regulating drawer 114 may be warmed through naturalconvection enabled by fluid communication through the aperture 130.

Additionally, when ice is used as a thermal regulant in the thermal tray106, the fluid communication provided by the aperture 130 enables meltwater to drain into and collect in the pre-regulating drawer 114. Bycollecting the ice melt in the pre-regulating drawer 114, the one ormore beverage containers 138 stored therein may begin to be cooled.Similarly, other fluids that may be contained within the thermal tray106 or that may be discharged from the thermal tray 106 may becommunicated to the pre-regulating drawer 114 via the aperture 130.

To encourage fluid flow through the aperture 130, the back portion ofthe dispensing shelf 120 may have a sloped surface 128. While the slopedsurface 128 is shown in FIG. 3A to have a “V” shape, the sloped surface128 may also form a cone or funnel shape about the aperture 130. Whileonly one aperture 130 is shown in FIG. 3A, the dispensing shelf 120 mayinclude a plurality of the aperture 130 along the length and/or width ofthe dispensing shelf 120 above the pre-regulating drawer 114. In someembodiments, openings other than the aperture 130 may provide fluidcommunication between the beverage compartment 104 and thepre-regulating drawer 114. For example, the aperture 130 may be replacedwith a slot, a grill, or other open forms without departing from thespirit or scope of the disclosure.

In some embodiments, the pre-regulating drawer 114 may include anintegrally formed grip 132 to facilitate opening and closing of thepre-regulating drawer 114. Alternatively, the pre-regulating drawer 114may have a handle, knob, or other such structure affixed to the outersurface of the pre-regulating drawer 114 to facilitate opening andclosing.

To improve insulating properties of the beverage dispenser 100, thefront door 124 and the pre-regulating drawer 114 may have overlappinggeometries with the base 102 and/or the dispensing shelf 120 (whendistinct from the base 102). Such overlapping geometries help to trapair inside the beverage dispenser 100 and provide surfaces on whichseals may be affixed or embedded to further reduce air flow.Specifically, at the point of engagement between the pre-regulatingdrawer 114 and the dispensing shelf 120, the dispensing shelf 120 mayinclude a lip 140. As shown in FIG. 3A, the lip 140 may extend below thetop surface of the pre-regulating drawer. Similarly, the front door 124may include a surface 142 that extends beyond and overlaps with thefront surface of the dispensing shelf 120 and the base 102 with whichthe front door 124 contacts in a closed position. In some embodiments,the overlapping geometry of the lip 140 may, by itself, act as aninsulating seal between the front door 124 and the base 102 and maintainthe front door 124 in a closed position. Accordingly, the front door 124may avoid the use of an attachment mechanism to maintain the front door124 in a closed position.

In some embodiments, the front door 124 and/or the base 102 may includecorresponding attachment mechanisms for positively closing the frontdoor 124. For example, front door 124 and the base 102 may each includeone or more magnets for positively closing the front door 124.Alternatively, the front door 124 may include a latch and the base 102may include a latch point for positively closing the front door 124.Other attachment mechanisms would be readily apparent to those ofordinary skill in the art and may be used to positively close the frontdoor 124.

The base 102 may include a rear aperture 134 at a location correspondingto a rear aperture 135 of the pre-regulating drawer 114. The rearaperture 135 of the pre-regulating drawer 114 may be at an intermediateposition along a rear surface of the pre-regulating drawer 114. Wheninstalled in the base 102, the rear aperture 135 of the pre-regulatingdrawer 114 is aligned with and in fluid communication with the rearaperture 134 of the base so as to enable draining of excess fluid fromthe pre-regulating drawer 114. In some embodiments, a drain hose may beattached to the rear aperture 134 of the base 102 to carry the excessfluid away from the beverage dispenser 100. The fluid communicationbetween the rear apertures 134, 135 maintains the fluid level 136 of thepre-regulating drawer 114 at a position below the top of thepre-regulating drawer so as to prevent fluid over-flow of thepre-regulating drawer 114. In some embodiments, one or more seals may bepresent about the rear aperture 134 of the base and/or the rear aperture135 of the pre-regulating drawer 114 so as to prevent leakage of fluidbetween the back surface of the pre-regulating drawer 114 and the lowerinterior rear wall of the base 102.

Referring to FIGS. 3B and 3C, the rear aperture 135 of thepre-regulating drawer may include a one-way valve 137 to prevent fluidleakage through the rear aperture 135 when installing or removing thepre-regulating drawer 114. As shown in FIG. 3B, the one-way valve 137 isin a closed position. The one-way valve 137 may include a top member 141and a bottom member 143 that are biased to engage with each other andfluidly seal or otherwise reduce fluid flow through the rear aperture135. The top and bottom members 141, 143 may be formed of an elastomericmaterial. Alternatively, the top and bottom members 141, 143 may berigid members that are spring-biased to engage with one another. Thebase 102 may include a hollow protrusion 139 installed in the rearaperture 134 for engaging the one-way valve 137. The hollow protrusion139 may interfere with the top and bottom members 141, 143 to therebyopen the one-way valve 137. As shown in FIG. 3C, the one-way valve is inan open position. The adapter 139 has been pushed through the one-wayvalve 137 such that the top and bottom members 141, 143 are no longerengaged with one another. Therefore, fluid may flow from thepre-regulating drawer 114, through the hollow protrusion 139, andultimately out the rear aperture 134. The one-way valve 137 may includea ramped lead-in 145 to facilitate pushing the pre-regulating drawer 114into the beverage dispenser 100 without requiring alignment effort bythe user. In other words, the ramped lead in 145 enables easy engagementof the hollow protrusion 139 with the one-way valve 137.

Referring to FIG. 4, a perspective view of a lower portion of anexemplary beverage dispenser according to the first aspect of thedisclosure is shown. As shown in FIG. 4, the lower side of thedispensing shelf 120 may include a recessed area 144 to facilitateeasier opening of the front door 124. The recessed area 144 is on a sideof the dispensing shelf 120 opposite the upper and lower door mounts116, 118. Alternatively, the front door 124 may itself include arecessed area 144 on the lower surface of the front door 124.

With reference to FIGS. 5A-5D, the operation of and the variouspositions of the thermal tray 106 are discussed. FIG. 5A shows a sideview of an exemplary beverage dispenser according to the first aspect ofthe disclosure with the thermal tray 106 in a stowed position. As shownin FIG. 5A, the thermal tray 106 includes a roller 150 that provides anaxis of rotation of the thermal tray 106. In the stowed position, theroller 150 is engaged with a front catch 156 of the cam 112.

FIG. 5B shows a side view of an exemplary beverage dispenser accordingto the first aspect of the disclosure with the thermal tray 106 in alowered position. The thermal tray 106 may be lowered into the loweredposition by rotating the thermal tray 106 about the roller 150. Thesupport shelf 108 partially supports the thermal tray 106 in the loweredposition.

FIG. 5C shows a side view of an exemplary beverage dispenser accordingto the first aspect of the disclosure with the thermal tray 106 in alower locked position. In the lower locked position, a rear portion ofthe thermal tray 106 fits within the cavity 110 and the support shelf108 supports the thermal tray 106. In the lower locked position, theroller 150 is engaged with a rear catch 152 of the cam 112. The thermaltray 106 may be locked into the lower locked position by pushing back onthe thermal tray 106 in the lowered position. As best seen in FIG. 5B,the cam 112 includes a ridge 154 over which the roller 150 travels inorder to alternately engage the front catch 156 and the rear catch 152.Therefore, the ridge 154 aids in maintaining the thermal tray 106 ineither the lower locked position or the lowered position. To positionthe thermal tray 106 into the lower locked position, enough force mustbe applied to the thermal tray 106 for the roller 150 to travel over theridge 154 and subsequently engage with the rear catch 152. In someembodiments, the front catch 156 and the rear catch 152 may lock theroller 150 in the respective catch, such as through friction, a spring,or other such mechanical engagement.

FIG. 5D shows a side view of an exemplary beverage dispenser accordingto the first aspect of the disclosure with the thermal tray 106 in alower locked position with a lid 160 opened. The lid 160 may beconnected to the thermal tray 106 with a hinge 158, shown in FIG. 5C, toenable opening and closing of the lid. In the lower locked position withthe lid 160 opened additional thermal regulant (e.g., ice or hot water)may be loaded into the thermal tray 106. During loading, the supportshelf 108 and the cavity 110 stabilize the thermal tray 106 and supportthe additional weight of the thermal regulant added to the thermal tray106. Once the thermal tray 106 is reloaded, the lid 160 may be closedand the procedure reversed for moving the thermal tray 106 into thestowed position again.

As shown in FIGS. 5B-5D, the thermal tray 106 may be at least partiallyremoved from the beverage dispenser 100 and as such the thermal tray 106may be considered partially removable. As illustrated, the cam 112 isopen between the front catch 156 and the rear catch 152. Therefore, itis possible for the thermal tray 106 to be moved to an intermediateposition between the front catch 156 and the rear catch 152 and belifted off of the cam 112. Accordingly, the thermal tray 106 may also befully removed from the beverage dispenser 100 for cleaning andmaintenance and as such the thermal tray 106 may be considered fullyremovable. In some embodiments, the cam 112 may form a closed figurethrough which roller 150 may travel so as to prevent the thermal tray106 from being fully removed from the beverage dispenser 100.

Referring to FIG. 6, a perspective view of an exemplary beveragedispenser according to the first aspect of the disclosure is shown withthe thermal tray in a stowed position. As shown in FIG. 6, the thermaltray 106 may be perforated with a plurality of perforations 162. Theperforations aid in heat transfer between the beverage compartment 104and the thermal regulant carried in the thermal tray 106. Additionally,when ice is used, the perforations 162 enable the ice melt to drain outof the thermal tray 106 for collection in the pre-regulating drawer 114,as discussed above.

The thermal tray 106 may generally take the shape of an inverted “L” inthe stowed position. The thermal tray 106 may have a first storage areaportion located behind beverage containers installed within the beveragecompartment 104 and a second storage area portion located above beveragecontainers installed within the beverage compartment 104. In someembodiments, the second storage area may have a sloped surface 164 onthe front end to match the contoured front edge of the beveragedispenser 100. As illustrated, the first storage area portion of thethermal tray 106 is longer than the second storage area portion.However, the first and second storage area portions of the thermal tray106 may be of equal length or the second storage area may be longer thanthe first storage area.

The thermal tray 106 may take any desired shape within the beveragedispenser so long as the thermal tray 106 does not obstruct theinstallation of beverage containers within the beverage compartment 104and the thermal tray 106 is at least partially removable to facilitatereloading. For example, the thermal tray 106 may simply take a verticalsquare shape or other closed shape (e.g., polygon, ellipse, etc.) suchthat there is no second storage area above beverage containers installedwithin the beverage compartment 104. As another example, the thermaltray 106 may take a horizontal square shape or other closed shape suchthat there is no first storage area behind beverage containers installedwithin the beverage compartment. It is further contemplated that thethermal tray 106 may have more complex geometries such as a horizontalwave or other such shape to contour around or otherwise complement theshape of the beverage containers stored within the beverage compartment104.

In some embodiments, the beverage dispenser 100 may have an integrallyformed carrying handle 166. While only depicted on the left side of thebeverage dispenser 100, a corresponding carrying handle 166 may also bepresent on the right side of the beverage dispenser 100. In someembodiments, the carrying handle 166 is not integrally formed with thebase 102, but instead may be later attached to the base 102.

As shown in FIG. 6, the beverage dispenser 100, and more particularlythe dispensing shelf 120, supports a dispenser assembly 168 and acontainer mount 170. Briefly, the container mount 170 facilitates theinstallation of a pre-mixed or otherwise ready to drink beveragecontainer in an inverted position within the beverage compartment 104.In some embodiments the container mount 170 may include a containeradapter 220 and a container support 222 (shown in FIG. 14). Thecontainer support 222 may be affixed to the dispensing shelf 120 withone or more connectors 224. The container adapter 220 may be affixed toa beverage container, such as a bottle, prior to installation or inconjunction with installation in the beverage compartment 104. Thecontainer adapter 220 may include a one-way valve vent 171 that isconfigured to vent air into the beverage container as beverage contentsare dispensed. The container adapter 220 may also include a dispensertube 184 that dispenses beverage contents through the dispenser assembly168. The dispenser tube 184 may be offset or coaxially formed with thevent 171. The container adapter 220 may further include snaps or otherattachment mechanisms for attaching to the container support 222. Insome embodiments, the container mount 170 may be constructed asdescribed in Chinese Patent Application 201110175521.7 (Atty. Dock. Num.CP1110569/ME) filed on Jun. 23, 2011 to Quande Gui, et al. and ChinesePatent Application 201120220882.4 (Atty. Dock. Num. CP2110569/ME) filedon Jun. 23, 2011 to Quande Gui, et al., both of which are incorporatedherein by reference in their entirety.

Referring to FIG. 7, a perspective view of an exemplary beveragedispenser according to the first aspect of the disclosure is shown withthe thermal tray 106 in a lower locked position with the lid 160 opened.In the stowed position, the thermal tray 106 may be secured by a latch172 as shown in FIG. 6. The latch 172 may prevent the thermal tray 106from falling forward onto beverage containers installed within thebeverage compartment 104 or falling forward when the front door 124 isopened and there are no beverage containers installed within thebeverage compartment 104. In some embodiments the latch 172 may take theform of a leaf spring as shown in FIG. 7. Alternatively, when thethermal tray is made out of a metal, one or more magnets may beinstalled on the rear interior wall on the base 102 so as tomagnetically latch the thermal tray 106 in the stowed position. It iscontemplated that any mechanical or magnetic latch mechanism known tothose of ordinary skill in the art may be used to secure the thermaltray 106 to the base 102 in the stowed position.

Referring to FIG. 8, a perspective view of the thermal tray 106 isshown. The lid 160 of the thermal tray 106 may include a slot 174 thatis sized and shaped to allow engagement with a person's finger tofacilitate lifting of the lid 160. The lid 160 may also include a lock176 that securely attaches the lid 160 to the thermal tray 106. The lock176 ensures that after reloading the thermal tray 106 with thermalregulant, the lid 160 does not open while placing the thermal tray 106in the stowed position. As shown in FIG. 8, the lock 176 may comprise aknob attached to an elliptical member. Upon rotating the knob such thatthe elliptical member is vertically oriented, the elliptical member mayslide under a lip 178 of the thermal tray 106. It is contemplated thatany mechanical or magnetic lock mechanism known to those of ordinaryskill in the art may be used to secure the lid 160 to the thermal tray106.

With reference to FIGS. 9-12, because the thermal tray 106 describedabove requires removal of any beverage containers installed within thebeverage compartment 104 prior to reloading the thermal tray 106,mid-day reloading of the thermal tray 106 may be time consuming.Accordingly, various alternative thermal regulant storage compartmentsare contemplated.

Referring to FIG. 9, a perspective view of an exemplary beveragedispenser according to the first aspect of the disclosure is shown witha thermal drawer 161. The thermal drawer 161 may be installed in the topportion of the beverage compartment 104 above any beverage containersinstalled therein. A plurality of re-freezable packs is shown in FIG. 9to be stored within the thermal drawer 161, though any thermal regulantmay be stored therein. Because the thermal drawer 161 is above where thebeverage containers are installed within the beverage compartment 104,the thermal drawer 161 may be removed and replaced while beveragecontainers remain installed in the beverage compartment 104.Accordingly, the thermal drawer 161 may be reloaded without removing anybeverage containers installed within the beverage compartment 104. Thethermal drawer 161 may be made of thermally conductive material and mayor may not have perforations on a bottom surface of the thermal drawer.

Referring to FIG. 10, a perspective view of an exemplary beveragedispenser according to the first aspect of the disclosure is shown witha reduced front door height and a separate thermal drawer. While thethermal drawer 161 enables reloading without removing any beveragecontainers installed within the beverage compartment 104, the front door124 is opened to remove and replace the thermal drawer 161. Accordingly,the temperature within the beverage compartment 104 may require time tobe re-regulated to a desired temperature.

Rather than requiring that the front door 124 be opened for reloading ofthe thermal drawer 161, the beverage dispenser 100 may include a thermaldrawer 165 that is separate from the front door 169. The thermal drawer165 may be inserted into a storage area 163 above where beveragecontainers are installed within the beverage compartment 104. Becausethe thermal drawer 165 is separate from the front door 169 the frontface of the thermal drawer 165 may form part of the exterior of thebeverage dispenser 100. Similar to the embodiments described above, thethermal drawer 165 may include perforations 167 to facilitate convectiveheat transfer as well as to enable draining of fluids from the thermaldrawer 165, such as when using ice as a thermal regulant. In someembodiments, the thermal drawer 165 may not have any perforations 167.Also, in sonic embodiments, the base of the thermal drawer may be madeof a thermally conductive material, such as aluminum. In contrast, thefront face of the thermal drawer 165 may be made of a thermallyinsulating material.

With the thermal drawer forming part of the exterior of the beveragedispenser 100, the front door 169 may be reduced in height or otherwisenot fully span the entire height of the beverage compartment 104. Inother words, the top of the front door 169 may be at an intermediaryposition along the height of the beverage compartment 104. For example,the front door 169 may be at about ⅔ the height of the beveragecompartment 104.

The thermal drawers 161, 165 may be partially removable or fullyremovable from the beverage dispenser 100. For example, a catch on thethermal drawers 161, 165 or the base 102 or both may prevent the thermaldrawers 161, 165 from being fully removable. Alternatively, the thermaldrawers 161, 165 may be fully removable from the beverage dispenser 100.

Referring to FIG. 11, a perspective view of an exemplary beveragedispenser according to the first aspect of the disclosure is shown witha top access door 175. The top access door 175 may engage with acorresponding hole 173 in the top surface of the beverage dispenser 100.The top access door 175 may be attached to the beverage dispenser by anyknown means, such as by hinge, latch, or through frictional engagementwith the sidewalls of the hole 173. The top access door 175 enablesreloading of any of the thermal tray 106, thermal drawer 161, or thermaldrawer 165 without opening the front door 124 or the reduced heightfront door 169.

Referring to FIG. 12, a perspective view of an exemplary beveragedispenser according to the first aspect of the disclosure is shown witha thermal package 177. The thermal package 177 may be an enclosedpackage containing, for example, a re-freezable liquid or a re-heatableliquid or solid to enable regulating the temperature within the beveragecompartment 104. The thermal package 177 enables quick swap outs with afresh thermal package 177 when needed. Accordingly, the thermal package177 is fully removable from the beverage dispenser 100. For example,upon a thermal package 177 melting, a freshly frozen thermal package 177may be swapped out with the melted thermal package 177. Similar to thethermal drawers 161, 165 described above, the thermal package 177 may beinstalled above where the beverage containers are installed within thebeverage compartment 104. Accordingly, the thermal package 177 may bereplaced without removing any beverage containers installed within thebeverage compartment 104.

Referring to FIG. 13, a perspective view of an exemplary beveragedispenser according to the first aspect of the disclosure is shown witha modular storage drawer 179 and a cup holder 183. The modular storagedrawer 179 may be modularly attached to the beverage dispenser 100 toprovide additional storage area 181 in addition to the pre-regulatingdrawer 114. The modular storage drawer 179 may be considered a modularbeverage container storage compartment. In some embodiments, thermalregulant may be added to the storage area 181 to begin heating orcooling the beverage containers to a desired temperature. The beveragedispenser 100 may also include a cup holder 183 for holding cups orother containers usable by customers to hold dispensed beverages.

Referring to FIG. 14, an exploded view of an exemplary beveragedispenser 200 according to a second aspect of the disclosure is shown.The beverage dispenser 200 enables on demand and gravity fed dispensingof pre-mixed or otherwise ready to drink beverages that are thermallyregulated through natural convection. The beverage dispenser 200according to the second aspect of the disclosure includes a fixedthermal regulant storage area 201 separated from a beverage compartment225 by a thermally conductive enclosure 226 that surrounds the beveragecompartment 225. The enclosure 226 may include a plurality ofperforations to facilitate convective heat transfer with the beveragecompartment 225. The beverage compartment 225 provides a thermallyregulated area in which to install a series of pre-mixed or otherwiseready to drink beverage containers for dispensing, but also in which tostore a series of pre-mixed or otherwise ready to drink beveragecontainers behind the installed beverage containers. The temperature isregulated within the beverage compartment 225 through natural convectionbased on heat added or removed by one or more thermal regulants in thethermal regulant storage area 201. As shown in FIG. 14, the beveragecompartment 225 enables two beverage containers to be installed for ondemand dispensing and two beverage containers to be stored, though othernumbers of beverage containers may be installed or stored within thebeverage compartment 225.

The beverage containers installed within the beverage compartment 225may be securely maintained with a container holder 202. In someembodiments, the container holder is a leaf spring that is shaped toconform to shape of the beverage containers installed within thebeverage compartment 225. The leaf spring may also be shaped to avoid orotherwise go around the beverage containers stored within the beveragecompartment.

Because the thermal regulant storage area 201 is fixed, the storage area201 may be accessed by removing a lid 204 from the top of the beveragedispenser 200. The lid 204 may also be considered a top access door. Thelid 204 may be attached to the beverage dispenser 200 by engaginglatches 206 with latch points 208. It is contemplated by this disclosurethat the lid 204 may be attached to the beverage dispenser in otherways, such as by hinge or any other lid attachment mechanism known tothose of ordinary skill in the art.

Similar to the pre-regulating drawer 114 described above, the beveragedispenser 200 may include a pre-regulating compartment 212 accessiblevia a door 210 in the side of the beverage dispenser 200. In someembodiments, the pre-regulating compartment 212 may be replaced with thepre-regulating drawer 114, or vice versa. While the door 210, andcorresponding portal, is shown to be attached to one side of thebeverage dispenser, the door 210 may alternatively be attached to theother side, rear, or front of the beverage dispenser 200.

The beverage dispenser 200 may also include a slotted cup rest 214, adrain pan 216, and a drain pan holder 218. In some embodiments, theslotted cup rest 214, the drain pan 216, and the drain pan holder 218may be replaced with a splash mat. Similarly, the splash mat shown withthe cup rest 122 may be replaced with the slotted cup rest 214, thedrain pan 216, and the drain pan holder 218.

Referring to FIGS. 15-17, perspective views of an exemplary beveragedispenser 300 according to a third aspect of the disclosure are shown.The beverage dispenser 300 enables on demand and gravity fed dispensingof pre-mixed or otherwise ready to drink beverages that are thermallyregulated through natural convection. Similar to the second aspect ofthe disclosure, the beverage compartment 304 may enable both storage andinstallation of pre-mixed or otherwise ready to drink beveragecontainers in the beverage dispenser 300. Also similar to the secondaspect of the disclosure, the beverage dispenser 300 includes a fixedthermal regulant storage area 302 separated from the beveragecompartment 304 by a thermally conductive enclosure. However, incontrast to the perforated enclosure in the beverage dispenser 200, theenclosure in the beverage dispenser 300 is solid, or in other words notperforated. The temperature is regulated within the beverage compartment304 through natural convection based on heat added or removed by one ormore thermal regulants in the thermal regulant storage area 302. Asshown in FIG. 16, similar to the beverage dispenser 100, the beveragedispenser 300 includes a pre-regulating drawer 306 as opposed to thepre-regulating compartment 212 of the beverage dispenser 200. As shownin FIG. 17, the beverage dispenser 300 also includes a lid 308 to accessthe storage area 302. The lid 308 may also be considered a top accessdoor. The lid 308 is shown to encompass the top of the beveragedispenser 300 and may be attached by any mechanism know to those ofordinary skill in the art, such as by a hinge.

Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, an exemplary dispenser assembly 168 isshown. The dispenser assembly 168 depicted in FIGS. 18 and 19 or any ofthe components that comprise the dispenser assembly 168 may be used withany of the aspects of the disclosure to enable on demand dispensing ofbeverage contents. FIG. 18 shows a side view of the dispenser assembly168 in a dispensing state. The dispenser assembly 168 includes a handle180 attached to a spring-tensioned valve 182 within the valve housing194. The valve 182 is tensioned to crimp or otherwise impede the flow offluid down the dispenser tube 184. During installation of beveragecontainers within the beverage dispensers described herein, a plug 186may be attached to the bottom of the dispenser tube 184 to preventunintended dispensing of beverage contents while the beverage containeris inverted.

The handle 180 includes a first side 188 that is contoured to enablecontrolled dispensing of beverage contents. As the handle 180 isdepressed, the handle 180 will rotate about the attachment point to thevalve 182 along the contoured surface of the first side 188. When thehandle 180 is depressed, the valve 182 at least partially un-crimps orotherwise allows the flow of fluid down the dispenser tube 184. When thehandle 180 is at rest in the dispensing state a flat second side 192 ofthe handle 188 is in contact with a corresponding flat surface of thevalve housing 194. The handle may include a removable button 195 thatmay be colored or otherwise have indicia indicative of the beverage thatis to be dispensed. If the beverage to be dispensed is changed, then thebutton 195 may similarly be changed.

To facilitate installation of the dispenser tube 184 through the valvehousing 194, the dispenser assembly 168 may be manipulated to theinstallation state shown in FIG. 19. Specifically, when in thedispensing state, the handle 180 may be rotated about the valve 182 soas to be positioned upside down (e.g., the button 195 is facing downinstead of facing up). Once the handle 180 is upside down, the handle180 may be depressed to be placed in the installation state. As shown inFIG. 19, the installation state maintains the valve 182 in a fullyopened position so as to prevent interference with removal or insertionof the dispenser tubing 184 through the valve housing 194. The handle180 includes a flat third side 190 that maintains the handle in thedepressed position. Specifically, the flat third side 190 stably restsagainst the corresponding flat surface of the valve housing 194. Byrequiring the handle 180 to be rotated to an upside down orientation toenable locking of the valve 182 open, customers are less likely toaccidentally lock the valve 182 open while dispensing beverages.

Referring to FIGS. 20A and 20B, perspective views of an exemplarybeverage dispenser 400 according to a fourth aspect of the disclosureare shown. The beverage dispenser 400 enables on demand and gravity feddispensing of pre-mixed or otherwise ready to drink beverages that arethermally regulated through natural convection. In contrast to thebeverage dispensers described above with beverage compartments orbeverage enclosures, the beverage dispenser 400 includes a base 402 towhich one or more pre-mixed or otherwise ready to drink beveragecontainers 406 are installed and exposed to ambient conditions and arevisible so that a customer may be assured of the beverage contents thatwill be dispensed. In some embodiments, the base 402 may have a slopedfront face that has an elliptical cut-out or hole 404 through which eachof the beverage containers 406 may be installed. Similar to thecontainer mount 170 described above, the beverage dispenser 400 mayinclude a container mount 408. The container mount 408 may be supportedby a thermal regulation chamber 410 affixed to or integrally formed withthe base 402. The thermal regulation chamber 410 is adapted to hold orstore one or more thermal regulants and may be made of a thermallyconductive material, such as aluminum. The thermal regulation chamber410 is in thermal communication with, but fluidly isolated from adispenser assembly 412. The dispenser assembly 412 is configured todispense thermally regulated beverage contents from the beveragecontainer 406 into a cup 414 or other container. The thermal regulationchamber 410 may also be considered a dispensing shelf because the upperside of the thermal regulation chamber 410 supports the container mount408 and beverage containers installed therein and the lower side of thethermal chamber 410 supports the dispenser assembly 412. The base 402may include a cup rest 416 for supporting the cup 414 or other containerduring on demand dispensing operations.

The thermal regulation chamber 410, and specifically the thermalregulant storage area 422, enables thermally regulating the beveragecontents stored in the dispenser assembly 412. For example, with icedstored in the thermal regulant storage area 422, natural convectioncurrents may be established in the beverage contents stored in thedispenser assembly 412 to cool the beverage contents. In other words,the temperature of the beverage contents stored in the dispenserassembly 412 is regulated through natural convection based on heat addedor removed by one or more thermal regulants in the thermal regulantstorage area 422.

For each beverage container location on the base 402, the thermalregulation chamber 410 includes a rear lid 418 and a chute 420 foraccessing a thermal regulant storage area 422. The chute 420 directsthermal regulant being loaded into the thermal regulation chamber 410into the thermal regulant storage area 422. For example, when coolingbeverage contents, the chute 420 may direct ice into the thermalregulant storage area 422. Similarly, when warming beverage contents,the chute 420 may direct hot water or other heating thermal regulantinto the thermal regulant storage area 422. The thermal regulant storagearea 422 may include a drain 423 for draining excess fluids from thethermal regulant storage area 422, such as ice melt. While only onedrain 423 is shown, a drain 423 may be provided for each thermalregulant storage area 422.

Referring to FIGS. 21A and 21B, side views of the dispenser assembly 412of the exemplary beverage dispenser 400 according to the forth aspect ofthe disclosure are shown. The dispenser assembly 412 is attached to thecontainer mount 408, which is in turn attached to an installed beveragecontainer 406. The dispenser assembly 412 includes a piercing tip 424with a fluid communication port 426 on the top of a rotatable dispensingstem 428. In some embodiments, the piercing tip 424 and the fluidcommunication port 426 may be incorporated as part of the containermount 408 as opposed to being part of the dispenser assembly 412. Thepiercing tip 424 enables a cap of the beverage container 406 to bepierced to enable dispensing of beverage contents. By piercing the capof the beverage container 406, a merchant may be discouraged fromattempting to refill and reuse the beverage container 406 to dispenseunwanted beverage contents.

The rotatable dispensing stein 428 includes a first fluid communicationport 430 at the base of a first fluid communication path 429 within therotatable dispensing stem 428. The first fluid communication port 430enables refilling a pre-dosed beverage compartment 432 in the dispenserassembly 412. In other words, the beverage compartment 432 is of apre-determined volume so as to store a desired dose of beveragecontents. The rotatable dispensing stein 428 also includes a secondfluid communication port 431 at the top of a second fluid communicationpath 440. The second fluid communication port 431 and the second fluidcommunication path 440 enable dispensing of beverage contents stored ina pre-dosed beverage compartment 438 out of the bottom of the secondfluid communication path 440. The first fluid communication path 429 andthe second fluid communication path 440 are not in direct fluidcommunication with each other.

The first fluid communication port 430 and the second fluidcommunication port 431 are offset from each other about thecircumference of the rotatable dispensing stem 428. For example, withthree pre-dosed beverage compartments, the first fluid communicationport 430 and the second fluid communication port 431 may be offset fromeach other by about 120°. Accordingly, while one beverage compartment isdispensing beverage contents, another beverage compartment is refillingwith beverage contents. Following the above example of three-pre-dosedbeverage compartments, a pre-dosed beverage compartment 442 may remainempty after dispensing beverage contents before being refilled.Alternatively, the rotatable dispensing stem 428 may include a pluralityof fluid communication ports at the bottom of the first fluidcommunication path 429 such that only the beverage compartment currentlyselected to dispense beverage contents may not have a correspondingfluid communication port at the bottom of the first fluid communicationpath 429. That is, a third fluid communication port (not shown) mayenable simultaneous refilling of beverage compartment 432 and beveragecompartment 442. Accordingly, only the beverage compartment currentlyselected to dispense beverage contents may be empty after dispensingbeverage contents.

Each beverage compartment 432, 438, 442 includes a top fluidcommunication port 434 and a bottom fluid communication port 436. Thetop fluid communication port 434 and the bottom fluid communication port436 are vertically aligned with the rotatable dispensing stem 428. Whenthe first fluid communication port 430 is aligned with the top fluidcommunication port 434, beverage contents from the beverage container406 may refill the corresponding beverage compartment. For example, asshown in FIG. 21B, the first fluid communication port 430 is alignedwith the top fluid communication port 434 of the pre-dosed beveragecompartment 432. Also shown, the bottom fluid communication port 436 ismisaligned or not aligned with the second fluid communication port 431.Accordingly, beverage contents from the beverage container 406 flowthrough the first fluid communication path 429 and into the pre-dosedbeverage compartment 432. At the same time, the beverage contents fromthe pre-dosed beverage compartment 432 are prevented from beingdispensed through the second fluid communication path 440.

When the second fluid communication port 431 is aligned with the bottomfluid communication port 436, beverage contents stored in the beveragecompartment are dispensed out the bottom of the second fluidcommunication path 440. For example, as shown in FIG. 21A, the secondfluid communication port 431 is aligned with the bottom fluidcommunication port 436 of the pre-dosed beverage compartment 438. Alsoshown, the top fluid communication port 434 is misaligned or not alignedwith the first fluid communication port 430. Accordingly, beveragecontents stored in the pre-dosed beverage compartment 438 flow throughthe second fluid communication path 440 and are dispensed forconsumption. At the same time, the beverage contents from the beveragecontainer 406 are prevented from flowing through the first fluidcommunication path 429 and into the pre-dosed beverage compartment 438.

The rotatable dispensing stem 428 may be affixed to and rotated by ahandle 444. Alternatively, the handle may be affixed to and rotate thecarousel of beverage compartments 432, 438, 442 about a stationarydispensing stem 428. Referring to FIG. 21C, a perspective view of thedispenser assembly 412 of the exemplary beverage dispenser 400 accordingto the forth aspect of the disclosure are shown. The handle 444 mayinclude a catch 446 that may be tensioned against the carousel ofbeverage compartments 432, 438, 442. Upon rotating the handle 444, thecatch 446 may travel along a cam 448. Upon reaching the end of the cam448, the catch 446 may snap back against the carousel of beveragecompartments 432, 438, 442. The cam 448 may include a ridge 450 toprevent rotating the handle in the opposite direction.

While described in conjunction with the fourth aspect of the disclosure,the dispenser assembly 412 or any of the components that comprise thedispenser assembly 412 may be used with any of the aspects of thedisclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 22A and 22B, perspective views of an exemplarybeverage dispenser 500 according to a fifth aspect of the disclosure areshown. The beverage dispenser 500 enables on demand and gravity feddispensing of pre-mixed or otherwise ready to drink beverages that arethermally regulated through natural convection. Similar to the beveragedispenser 400, the beverage dispenser 500 includes a base with containermounts for mounting pre-mixed or otherwise drink ready beveragecontainers exposed to view and ambient conditions. Also similar to thebeverage dispenser 400, the beverage dispenser 500 includes a thermalregulation chamber 502 adapted to hold or store one or more thermalregulants in a thermal regulant storage area. The thermal regulationchamber 502 may be considered a dispensing shelf. However, unlike thebeverage dispenser 400, the thermal regulation chamber 502 is a singleunit for all of the beverage container installation locations. Thethermal regulation chamber 502 includes a rear facing lid 504 forloading thermal regulant into the thermal regulation chamber 502 andalso includes a drain 506 for draining excess fluids from the thermalregulation chamber 502. Also unlike the beverage dispenser 400, thethermal regulation chamber 502 of the beverage dispenser 500 encompassesthe pre-dosed beverage compartments of the dispenser assembly 508.

The thermal regulation chamber 502 enables thermally regulating thebeverage contents stored in pre-dosed beverage compartments of adispenser assembly 508. For example, with iced stored in the thermalregulation chamber 502, natural convection currents may be establishedin the beverage contents stored in the pre-dosed beverage compartmentsto cool the beverage contents. In other words, the temperature of thebeverage contents stored in the pre-dosed beverage compartments isregulated through natural convection based on heat added or removed byone or more thermal regulants in the thermal regulation chamber 502.

Referring to FIGS. 23A and 23B, side views of a dispenser assembly 508of the exemplary beverage dispenser 500 according to the fifth aspect ofthe disclosure are shown in dispensing and refilling states. Thedispenser assembly 508 includes a first fluid flow path 510 for flowingbeverage contents from a beverage container into a top pre-dosedbeverage compartment 512. The top beverage compartment 512 may include atop fluid communication port 514 and a bottom fluid communication port516. The top fluid communication port 514 is in fluid communication withthe first fluid flow path 510 and may be unregulated or otherwise remainopen. The bottom fluid communication port 516 enables the beveragecontents stored in the top beverage compartment 512 to be flowed to abottom pre-dosed beverage compartment 518. In some embodiments thebottom fluid communication port 516 may comprise a pair of fluidcommunication ports offset from each other, for example by about 180°.

Similar to the top beverage compartment 512, the bottom beveragecompartment 518 includes a top fluid communication port 520 and a bottomfluid communication port 522 that are offset from each othercircumferentially. For example, the top fluid communication port 520 maybe offset from the bottom fluid communication port 522 by about 90°. Insome embodiments the top fluid communication port 520 and the bottomfluid communication port 522 may comprise a pair of fluid communicationports offset from each other, for example by about 180°.

The top beverage compartment 512 may be fluidly connected to the bottombeverage compartment 518 through a rotatable dispensing stem 524. Therotatable dispensing stem 524 includes a second fluid flow path 526 anda third fluid flow path 528. The second fluid flow path 526 and thethird fluid flow path 528 are not in direct fluid communication witheach other. The second fluid flow path 526 may engage in fluidcommunication with the top beverage compartment 512 through a firstfluid communication port 530 on the dispensing stem 524 at the top ofthe second fluid flow path 526. The second fluid flow path 526 may alsoengage in fluid communication with the bottom beverage compartment 518through a second fluid communication port 532 on the dispensing stem 524at the bottom of the second fluid flow path 526. The first fluidcommunication port 530 and the second fluid communication port 532 maybe circumferentially aligned along the dispensing stem 524. In someembodiments the first fluid communication port 530 and the second fluidcommunication port 532 may each comprise a pair of fluid communicationports offset from each other, for example by about 180°.

The third fluid flow path 528 may engage in fluid communication with thebottom beverage compartment 518 through a third fluid communication port534 on the dispensing stem 524 at the top of the third fluid flow path528. In some embodiments the third fluid communication port 534 maycomprise a pair of fluid communication ports offset from each other, forexample by about 180°. The third fluid communication port 534 may becircumferentially offset from the first and second fluid communicationports 530, 532 on the dispensing stem 524. For example, the third fluidcommunication port 534 may be offset from the first and second fluidcommunication ports 530, 532 by about 90°.

As shown in FIG. 23A, when the dispenser assembly 508 is in a dispensingstate, the bottom fluid communication port 522 of the bottom beveragecompartment 518 is in alignment with the third fluid communication port534 at the top of the third fluid flow path 528 of the dispensing stem524. Therefore, beverage contents stored in the bottom beveragecompartment 518 are allowed to flow through the third fluid flow path528 and be dispensed from the beverage dispenser 500. At the same time,the second fluid communication port 532 is offset from the top fluidcommunication port 520 of the bottom beverage compartment 518, therebypreventing beverage contents from flowing into the bottom beveragecompartment 518 from the beverage container or the top beveragecompartment 512.

As shown in FIG. 23B, when the dispenser assembly 508 is in a refillingstate, the bottom fluid communication port 516 of the top beveragecompartment 512 is in alignment with the first fluid communication port530 at the top of the second fluid flow path 526 of the dispensing stem524. Therefore, beverage contents are allowed to flow from the beveragecontainer, through the first fluid flow path 510 into the top beveragecompartment 512 and through the second fluid flow path 526 into thebottom beverage compartment 518. At the same time, the third fluidcommunication port 534 is offset from the bottom fluid communicationport 522 of the bottom beverage compartment 518, thereby preventingdispensing of beverage contents through the third fluid flow path 528.In some embodiments the dispenser assembly 508 may be spring biased inthe refilling state so as to prevent accidental dispensing of beveragecontents.

The top beverage compartment 512 and the bottom beverage compartment 518may be separated from each other by a distance so as to allow thermalregulant to accumulate around both beverage compartments 512, 518.Moreover, the beverage compartments 512, 518 may have sloped or flutedupper walls to prevent the buildup of gas pockets within the beveragecompartments 512, 518. Buildup of gas within the beverage compartments512, 518 may lead to thermal inefficiencies when regulating thetemperature of beverage contents stored in the beverage compartments512, 518. FIG. 23C shows an alternative beverage dispenser assembly 508,where the top and bottom beverage compartments 512, 518 are cylindricalin shape and are stacked on top of each other. Otherwise, the beveragedispenser assembly shown in FIG. 23C is constructed and operates asdescribed above in conjunction with FIGS. 23A and 23B.

While described in conjunction with the fifth aspect of the disclosure,the dispenser assembly 508 or any of the components that comprise thedispenser assembly 508 may be used with any of the aspects of thedisclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 24-26, perspective views of an exemplary beveragedispenser 600 according to a sixth aspect of the disclosure are shown.The beverage dispenser 600 enables on demand and gravity fed dispensingof pre-mixed or otherwise ready to drink beverages that are thermallyregulated through natural convection. The beverage dispenser 600 issubstantially similar to the beverage dispenser 500 according to thefifth aspect of the disclosure except the thermal regulation chamber 602has a forward facing lid 604. The thermal regulation chamber 602 mayalso be considered a dispensing shelf. The thermal regulation chamber602 adapted to hold or store one or more thermal regulants in a thermalregulant storage area. The beverage dispenser 600 also includes an “L”bracket 606 for attaching the base of the beverage dispenser 600 to awall or other surface. While the bracket 606 has been described inconjunction with the sixth aspect of the disclosure, the bracket 606 maybe used with any of the aspects of the disclosure. The beveragedispenser 600 further includes a lever-based dispenser assembly 608 thatis carried within the thermal regulation chamber 602.

The thermal regulation chamber 602 enables thermally regulating thebeverage contents stored in beverage compartments of the dispenserassembly 608. For example, with iced stored in the thermal regulationchamber 602, natural convection currents may be established in thebeverage contents stored in beverage compartments of the dispenserassembly 608 to cool the beverage contents. In other words, thetemperature of the beverage contents stored in the beverage compartmentsis regulated through natural convection based on heat added or removedby one or more thermal regulants in the thermal regulation chamber 602.

Referring to FIGS. 27A and 27B, side views of a dispenser assembly 608of the exemplary beverage dispenser 600 according to the sixth aspect ofthe disclosure are shown in dispensing and refilling states. Thedispenser assembly 608 includes a first fluid flow path 610 for flowingbeverage contents from a beverage container into a top pre-dosedbeverage compartment 612. The top beverage compartment 612 may include atop fluid communication port 614 and a bottom fluid communication port616 that may be aligned with each other circumferentially. The top fluidcommunication port 614 enables beverage contents from a pre-mixed orotherwise ready to drink beverage container to be flowed into the topbeverage compartment 612. The bottom fluid communication port 616enables the beverage contents stored in the top beverage compartment 612to be flowed to a bottom pre-dosed beverage compartment 618. In someembodiments the top fluid communication port 614 and the bottom fluidcommunication poll 616 may each comprise a pair of fluid communicationports offset from each other, for example by about 180°. In otherembodiments the top fluid communication port 614 and the bottom fluidcommunication port 616 may each comprise more than two of fluidcommunication ports offset from each other.

Similar to the top beverage compartment 612, the bottom beveragecompartment 618 includes a top fluid communication port 620 and a bottomfluid communication port 622 that may be aligned with each othercircumferentially. In some embodiments the top fluid communication port620 and the bottom fluid communication port 622 may comprise a pair offluid communication ports offset from each other, for example by about180°. In other embodiments the top fluid communication port 620 and thebottom fluid communication poll 622 may each comprise more than two offluid communication ports offset from each other.

The top beverage compartment 612 may be fluidly connected to the bottombeverage compartment 618 through a vertically displaceable dispensingstem 624. The vertically displaceable dispensing stem 624 includes asecond fluid flow path 626 and a third fluid flow path 628. The secondfluid flow path 626 and the third fluid flow path 628 are not in directfluid communication with each other. The second fluid flow path 626 mayengage in fluid communication with the top beverage compartment 612through a first fluid communication port 630 on the dispensing stem 624at the top of the second fluid flow path 626. The second fluid flow path626 may also engage in fluid communication with the bottom beveragecompartment 618 through a second fluid communication port 632 on thedispensing stem 624 at the bottom of the second fluid flow path 626. Thefirst fluid communication port 630 and the second fluid communicationport 632 may be circumferentially aligned along the dispensing stem 624.In some embodiments the first fluid communication port 630 and thesecond fluid communication port 632 may each comprise a pair of fluidcommunication ports offset from each other, for example by about 180°.In other embodiments the first fluid communication port 630 and thesecond fluid communication port 632 may each comprise more than two offluid communication ports offset from each other.

The third fluid flow path 628 may engage in fluid communication with thebottom beverage compartment 618 through a third fluid communication port634 on the dispensing stem 624 at the top of the third fluid flow path628. In some embodiments the third fluid communication port 634 maycomprise a pair of fluid communication ports offset from each other, forexample by about 180°. In other embodiments the third fluidcommunication port 634 may comprise more than two of fluid communicationports offset from each other.

As shown in FIG. 27A, when the dispenser assembly 608 is in a refillingstate, the bottom fluid communication port 616 of the top beveragecompartment 612 is in alignment with the first fluid communication port630 at the top of the second fluid flow path 626 of the dispensing stem624. Therefore, beverage contents are allowed to flow from the beveragecontainer, through the first fluid flow path 610 into the top beveragecompartment 612 and through the second fluid flow path 626 into thebottom beverage compartment 618. At the same time, the third fluidcommunication port 634 is vertically offset from the bottom fluidcommunication port 622 of the bottom beverage compartment 618, therebypreventing dispensing of beverage contents through the third fluid flowpath 628. In some embodiments the dispenser assembly 608 may be biasedwith a spring 638 to the refilling state so as to prevent accidentaldispensing of beverage contents.

As shown in FIG. 27B, when the dispenser assembly 608 is in a dispensingstate, the bottom fluid communication port 622 of the bottom beveragecompartment 618 is in alignment with the third fluid communication port634 at the top of the third fluid flow path 628 of the dispensing stem624. The bottom fluid communication port 622 is brought into alignmentwith the third fluid communication port 634 by vertically displacing thedispensing stem 624 in the downward direction upon a lever 636 beingdepressed. Therefore, beverage contents stored in the bottom beveragecompartment 618 are allowed to flow through the third fluid flow path628 and be dispensed from the beverage dispenser 600. At the same time,the second fluid communication port 632 is vertically offset from thetop fluid communication port 620 of the bottom beverage compartment 618,thereby preventing beverage contents from flowing into the bottombeverage compartment 618 from the beverage container or the top beveragecompartment 612.

The top beverage compartment 612 and the bottom beverage compartment 618may be separated from each other by a distance so as to allow thermalregulant to accumulate around both beverage compartments 612, 618.Moreover, the beverage compartments 612, 618 may have sloped or flutedupper walls to prevent the buildup of gas pockets within the beveragecompartments 612, 618.

While described in conjunction with the sixth aspect of the disclosure,the dispenser assembly 608 or any of the components that comprise thedispenser assembly 608 may be used with any of the aspects of thedisclosure.

While several aspects of the disclosure have been provided above, itshould be understood that the disclosed systems and methods may beembodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spiritor scope of the present disclosure. The present examples are to beconsidered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the intention is notto be limited to the details given herein. For example, the variouselements or components from one or more of the above described aspectsof the disclosure may be combined or integrated together or in anothersystem or certain features may be omitted or not implemented. Similarly,any of the various element or components described in conjunction withone of the above aspects of the disclosure may be combined with orreplace corresponding elements or components of any of the other aspectsof the disclosure. For example, any of the thermal tray 106, thermaldrawers 161, 165, or thermal package 171 described in conjunction withthe first aspect of the disclosure may be used in conjunction with or inreplacement of the fixed thermal areas 201, 302 in the second and thirdaspects of the disclosure or any other aspects of the disclosure. Otherreplacement or swapping of components or elements of the various aspectsof the disclosure will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill inthe art and are fully contemplated by this disclosure.

Also, techniques, systems, subsystems, and methods described andillustrated in the various embodiments as discrete or separate may becombined or integrated with other systems, modules, techniques, ormethods without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.Other items shown or discussed as directly coupled or communicating witheach other may be indirectly coupled or communicating through someinterface, device, or intermediate component, whether electrically,mechanically, or otherwise. Other examples of changes, substitutions,and alterations are ascertainable by one skilled in the art and could bemade without departing from the spirit and scope disclosed herein.

1. A beverage dispenser, comprising: a dispensing shelf configured tosupport installation of one or more ready to drink beverage containersfor gravity fed beverage dispensing; and a thermal regulant storage areaadapted to store a thermal regulant that regulates the temperature ofbeverage contents of the one or more beverage containers through naturalconvection.
 2. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, wherein the dispensingshelf comprises: a beverage container mount on an upper side of thedispensing shelf; and a dispenser assembly on a lower side of thedispensing shelf.
 3. The beverage dispenser of claim 2, wherein thedispensing shelf comprises an aperture adapted to facilitateinstallation of the beverage container mount and the dispenser assemblyto the dispensing shelf.
 4. The beverage dispenser of claim 1, furthercomprising: a thermally insulated beverage compartment that encloses thethermal regulant storage area and at least a portion of the dispensingshelf configured to support installation of one or more ready to drinkbeverage containers.
 5. The beverage dispenser of claim 4, wherein thethermally insulated beverage compartment encloses an upper side of thedispensing shelf.
 6. The beverage dispenser of claim 4, furthercomprising: a pre-regulating compartment below the thermally insulatedbeverage compartment and adapted to store one or more beveragecontainers,
 7. The beverage dispenser of claim 6, wherein the dispensingshelf comprises an opening above the pre-regulating compartment tofacilitate fluid communication between the pre-regulating compartmentand the thermally insulated beverage compartment.
 8. The beveragedispenser of claim 7, wherein the dispensing shelf comprises a slantedsurface that slopes towards the opening.
 9. The beverage dispenser ofclaim 7, wherein the pre-regulating compartment comprises an aperture atan intermediate position along a rear surface of the pre-regulatingcompartment.
 10. The beverage dispenser of claim 6, wherein thepre-regulating compartment is a drawer or is accessed through a door.11. The beverage dispenser of claim 6, further comprising a modularbeverage container storage compartment.
 12. The beverage dispenser ofclaim 4, further comprising a front door, a top access door or both. 13.The beverage dispenser of claim 4, wherein the thermal regulant storagearea is fixed within the thermally insulated beverage compartment. 14.The beverage dispenser of claim 1, wherein the thermal regulant storagearea is removable from the beverage dispenser.
 15. The beveragedispenser of claim 14, wherein the thermal regulant storage area is oneof a tray, a drawer, or a package.
 16. The beverage dispenser of claim1, wherein the thermal regulant storage area is perforated.
 17. Thebeverage dispenser of claim 2, wherein the thermal regulant storage areasurrounds at least a portion of the dispenser assembly.
 18. A beveragedispenser, comprising: a thermal regulant storage area adapted to storea thermal regulant; and a thermally insulated beverage compartment thatencloses the thermal regulant storage area and is configured to supportinstallation of one or more ready to drink beverage containers forgravity fed beverage dispensing, wherein the ambient temperature in thethermally insulated beverage compartment is regulated through naturalconvection.
 19. The beverage dispenser of claim 18, further comprising:a pre-regulating compartment below the thermally insulated beveragecompartment and adapted to store one or more beverage containers. 20.The beverage dispenser of claim 19, wherein the thermally insulatedbeverage compartment comprises an opening above the pre-regulatingcompartment to facilitate fluid communication between the pre-regulatingcompartment and the thermally insulated beverage compartment.